"
"You make too much of a trifle," said I. "May I ask how you
knew who I was?"
"Well, sir, if it isn't too great a liberty, I am a neighbour
of yours, for you'll find my little bookshop at the corner of
Church Street, and very happy to see you, I am sure. Maybe you
collect yourself, sir; here's `British Birds,' and `Catullus,'
and `The Holy War' -- a bargain every one of them. With five
volumes you could just fill that gap on that second shelf.
It looks untidy, does it not, sir?"
I moved my head to look at the cabinet behind me. When I turned
again Sherlock Holmes was standing smiling at me across my
study table. I rose to my feet, stared at him for some seconds
in utter amazement, and then it appears that I must have fainted
for the first and the last time in my life. Certainly a grey
mist swirled before my eyes, and when it cleared I found my
collar-ends undone and the tingling after-taste of brandy upon
my lips. Holmes was bending over my chair, his flask in his hand.
"My dear Watson," said the well-remembered voice, "I owe you a
thousand apologies. I had no idea that you would be so affected.
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